US4240444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for sensing coughs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-07-31
•
Granted: 1980-12-23
•
Expires: 1998-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A device for sensing the occurrence and magnitude of coughs. The cough sensor is contained within an annular housing having internally mounted sensing means resiliently biased to axially extend beyond the housing. Electrical actuation of circuit means by longitudinal movement of the sensing means generates signals. The device is secured to a predetermined location on the patient's body by a belt suitably attached thereto or other appropriate means capable of retaining the device in close proximity to a body muscle involved in the production of coughs.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Virgulto
- 👤 Peter E. Snyder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/113; A61B5/1135; G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/20; G01L9/00; G01L9/0001; G01L9/0002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A cough sensor comprising: an annular axially extending housing; sensing means mounted to the housing including a shaft member extending axially of the housing with a radially extending disc member on its proximal end, a concentric collar connected to the shaft and forming a distal end thereof, a leaf spring member interposed between the housing and the shaft member to resiliently urge the disc beyond the housing having a centrally located aperture through which a portion of the concentric annular collar member passes, a flange member connected to the collar member having a first shoulder bearing against the leaf spring in juxtaposition to the aperture and a second opposed shoulder, and a stop member on the housing bearing against the second shoulder for limiting axial extension of the disc beyond the housing; means operatively associated with the housing and the sensing means to generate signals relative to movement of the shaft with respect to the housing; and attachment means connected to the housing for securing the cough sensor in a predetermined location and attitude on the body so that the annular housing is in contact with and the disc member axially extends toward the body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A cough sensor comprising: an annular axially extending housing; sensing means mounted to the housing including a shaft member extending axially of the housing with a radially extending disc member on its proximal end, a concentric collar connected to the shaft and forming a distal end thereof, a leaf spring member interposed between the housing and the shaft member to resiliently urge the disc beyond the housing having a centrally located aperture through which a portion of the concentric annular collar member passes, a flange member connected to the collar member having a first shoulder bearing against the leaf spring in juxtaposition to the aperture and a second opposed shoulder, and a stop member on the housing bearing against the second shoulder for limiting axial extension of the disc beyond the housing; means operatively associated with the housing and the sensing means to generate signals relative to movement of the shaft with respect to the housing; and attachment means connected to the housing for securing the cough sensor in a predetermined location and attitude on the body so that the annular housing is in contact with and the disc member axially extends toward the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cough sensor of claim 1 wherein the collar member slidably engages the housing through a bearing member interposed between the collar member and the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cough sensor of claim 1 wherein the means for generating signals relative to axial movement of the sensing means includes circuit means producing an electrical signal proportional to the axial movement of the collar member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cough sensor of claim 3 wherein the electrical circuit means comprises a silicon strain gage member electrically connected to external signal generating apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cough sensor of claim 4 wherein the external apparatus includes signal amplifier means and recording means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cough sensor of claim 3 wherein a distal end of the portion of the collar member contacts the signal generator means for producing the signals proportional to the axial movement of the disc member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cough sensor of claim 6 wherein the signal generator means includes a fluid filled sealed member fluidly communicating with a differential pressure sensor and wherein the fluid filled member is compressed upon axial movement of the distal end of the collar member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cough sensor of claim 7 wherein the fluid filled member is an air filled bulb constrained within a cavity of the housing and located internally of a slot formed in a retaining block resiliently mounted to the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cough sensor of claim 8 wherein the retaining block is a substantially rectangular member mounted on four axial helical springs and is axially movable by an axially extending screw member threadably engaged to the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cough sensor of claim 8 wherein the bulb member fluidly communicates with a silicon strain gage member, and wherein the strain gage in response to increased internal pressure of the bulb member produces an altered electrical characteristic which characteristic is electrically transmitted to external circuit means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cough sensor of claim 1 wherein the spring tension is controlled by spring calibration means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The cough sensor of claim 11 wherein spring tension is controlled by two adjusting screws mounted to the housing and bearing against terminal ends of the leaf spring respectively and wherein axial adjustment of the screws causes spring tension to be increased or retarded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cough sensor of claim 12 wherein a bearing plate member is interposed between the leaf spring and the calibration adjust screws and wherein the bearing plate has a centrally located aperture through which the portion of the concentric annular collar member passes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US286795A
Cited
US2194809A
Cited
US2555422A
Cited
US2658505A
Cited
DE1006581B
Cited
US3154067A
Cited
US3154066A
Cited
US3392576A
Cited
US3858575A
Cited
US3945373A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-23 | 1984-06-23 | 1984-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-23 | 1988-06-23 | 1988-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-23 | 1992-06-23 | 1992-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |